Arrange data for specific types of charts in Excel 2016 for Mac

Excel can recommend charts for you. The chart it recommends depends on how you’ve arranged the data in your worksheet. You also may have your own chart in mind. How you lay out your data in the worksheet determines which type of chart you can use.

How to arrange your data

For this chart

Arrange the data

Column, bar, line, area, surface, or radar chart

In columns or rows, like this:

Pie chart

This chart uses one set of values (called a data series).

In one column or row, and one column or row of labels, like this:

Doughnut chart

This chart can use one or more data series

In multiple columns or rows of data, and one column or row of labels, like this:

XY (scatter) or bubble chart

In columns, placing your x values in the first column and your y values and bubble sizes in the next two columns, like this:

Stock chart

In columns or rows, using a combination of volume, opening, high, low, and closing values, plus names or dates as labels in the right order. For example, like this:

Tips for arranging data for charts

Here are some suggestions for what to do if your data doesn't match the suggested organization.

Select specific cells, columns, or rows for your data. For example, if your data has multiple columns but you want a pie chart, select the column containing your labels, and just one column of data.

Switch the rows and columns in the chart after you create it.

Select the chart.

On the Chart Design tab, select Select Data.

Select Switch Row/Column.

Transpose your source data between the X and Y axis and paste the transposed data in a new location. Then you can use the transposed data to create your chart.